Tripura’s ‘ex-militants’ have threatened to block the NH from June 5.

Agartala: Tripura’s ‘ex-militants’ have threatened to block the NH from June 5. A group of former militants has threatened to stage continuous protests in Tripura if they are deprived of benefits under the peace agreement.

The Deprived Return Movement Committee (DMRC) has also announced that the national highway will be blocked on the Assam-Agartala National Highway on June 5, which will continue indefinitely if their demands are not met.

Speaking at a press conference at the Agartala Press Club on Monday, DMRC general secretary Amrit Reang said the central and state governments had made many promises while surrendering in search of a dignified mainstream life. But, all these promises turned out to be empty because a large part of the returnees are deprived of benefits.

“It’s all on pen and paper. On several occasions, we talked to the higher authorities and handed over the draft memorandum along with describing the problems of our people. There is no positive step from the side, “said Reang .

In October last year, the DMRC group met with senior officials from the Department of Tribal Welfare. During the meeting, the delegates highlighted all the important points related to the expansion of benefits to the deprived militants but nothing was done. Reang further called the delay a “deliberate attempt to deprive us.”

Expressing frustration over the role of the state government, he said, “We have protested before. Every time higher authorities try to divert our grievances from assurances which are never fulfilled.”